10 Best Android Apps For Your Health

Everyone’s concerned about their health nowadays. That should be expected considering the sort of lives most people lead. However, it can be a pain to keep track of exactly what’s needed to stay healthy – calories consumed and burned, blood pressure, and all the other statistics also seem pretty intimidating. Add to that the fact that we all live lives that keep us on the go.

Thankfully, there are quite a few apps that can help users maintain their trim and fit selves. Here are several of the best apps on the Android Market.

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First of all, users need something to get themselves pumped up to exercise. That’s where Nike BOOM comes in. App users choose a workout and music choice and the app will deliver encouragement so that they can reach that final mile. The music and the workout records aren’t just the only feature though – premier athletes will be giving inspiration as they tell exercisers to push themselves to the limit. Facebook integration also manages to update friends about real-time progress, hoping for those “likes” to rev users up.

Running aimlessly won’t help nerds get back into shape – what they need is a plan. What better way to make that plan than via GPS? Backpacker GPS Trails helps organize that morning run. With this app, a smartphone becomes a GPS – which works independent of cell networks. Maps are easily reached and trails can be tracked. Users can even send out Facebook updates. More importantly, this app keeps a record of the trail runner’s performance, just in case they want to compare against their previous record.

For those with a more urban bent, Endomondo Sports Tracker is a great app for use in cities. Runners, cyclists, and walkers will find that this app will be an excellent workout companion. First of all is the GPS function – which makes sure the user is never lost in whatever city they are. Next is the audio feedback; every mile has the app giving encouragement, while friends can record pep talks for the user. It’s also got distance, time, and calories burnt recorded. For those with a more competitive bent, they can try to beat their friends’ times or the current champion’s time – which is a great way to put some fire in some people’s bellies.

Now for the other part of the fitness equation: nutrition. Healthy eating makes sure that people don’t chow down more than they burn – which is a basic principle of losing weight. For that, smart phone owners should go for fatsecret’s Calorie Counter. This app has several features that will definitely help keep people’s weights down. First is the food diary, which schedules meals. This feature in combination with a diet calendar, which tracks calories consumed and burned, will help greatly in lowering calorie intake. For those who like eating out, there’s also some current nutritional info on popular restaurants and food chains, as well as a barcode scanner for those shopping at their grocery store.

A person’s Body Mass Index is their key to making sure they’re not overweight. It can be a bit complicated to total it all up, but with Woytek’s BMI Calculator, users should be able to determine their BMI. Note this app is for normal people and not super-athletes – if someone wants to know how he or she measures up to the average then this app is it. It handles both metric and imperial units, so with a simple option switch people don’t have to scramble for their conversion tables.

Another way to eat healthy is to eat organic. However, it can be a bit difficult to understand some of the labels on these products – also, there are some products that masquerade as “organic” but really aren’t. Soleil Organics is an app for discerning buyers to make sure they aren’t fooled by organic labels. It also provides tips on what food to choose. The food list is a bit limited right now but expect an update to that as this app becomes more popular.

The heart is one of the body’s most important organs. With Instant Heart Rate Pro, smart phone owners can be assured that their ticker is doing great. Right now, this app is the most accurate way to measure a person’s heart rate on the platform – and this is without any added equipment. All it needs is for the user to place their index finger on the phone’s camera and in a few seconds a real time heart monitor will be available. This is very useful when tailoring workouts or for those with heart conditions. Plus, its accuracy is constantly being tested, so users can be sure that the app works perfectly.

Being healthy isn’t just about keeping fit. It’s also about being able to handle medical emergencies. First Aid, an app from Health Team, is the best bet for anyone in an emergency. A simple guide for any situation, the app is a boon for anyone trying to treat someone in need or participating in a rescue effort. Proper application of first aid can mean life or death in some situations and this app makes sure that whatever help can be given is given properly.

Proper diagnosis and treatment is another side of keeping healthy. For those times that someone needs medical info on their condition or some drug info, ePocrates is there. Used by a majority of US physicians, this app is the leading drug reference on the market. It’s essentially a pharmacist in an app and would be a great help for anyone taking regular medication.

With all the physical sides handled, let’s talk about the mental side of health. Pocket Yoga lets users have access to a detailed Yoga instruction guide to ease their bodies and minds. With over three different practices, three different difficulty levels and three different durations, it totals up to twenty-seven different sessions. All of this is clearly presented with detailed instructions and images – it’s like having a portable Yoga instructor. This is a great help for anyone looking a bit of peace of mind in their daily life.